Hi Wayne,
I thought long and hard before responding to your post. The reasons are obvious. You are my friend who I respect very much. You have given much to our organization with little if any thanks from the majority. I am sure of one thing you and I will continue to be friends regardless of whether you agree with me or not.

Your first paragraph makes sense. The editors of "our" magazine are entitled to their own opinions. Their opinions should not,and I believe they do not, come in conflict with publishing the club magazine. John Yee and Allan are cut from better stock then to resign over anyones comments. Good Lord Wayne the beauty of this board is so anyone, ICG included, can voice opinions about anything and everything. No one should get insulted because "others" have different opinions and beliefs. However, no one should be silent for fear of offending someone. We are all "Big Boys" and "Big Girls" who should be able to say what they believe to be true.

Wayne, the board is OUR elected representatives. Many of us believe "They" have let us down on the slabbing issue. It really doesn't matter if it is true or not. Many club members believe it to be true including myself. It may be getting old to blame the board but I guess it goes with the territory. Who else are we to blame? Wayne, I believe it is bull about how the board really feels about slabbing and they are just representing the membership. What membership? The 700 who bothered to vote? Come on my friend 1,800 plus didn't bother to vote. Why? I believe the non voters think everything is O.K. Perhaps club magazine Volume 14, #2 should have come out BEFORE the election. Perhaps different results would have occurred. No one will ever know for sure.

Regarding your paragraph 3, I am the one who introduced the amendment to the constitution to prevent 87 people at the board meeting from deciding important issues. I introduced other amendments that were not adopted.

Last but not least, I would like you to point to just one individual who gave up $$$$$$$$$ like I did from the Our Bar promotion. I may not be able to give of my time but I certainly GAVE from the pocket. All of us "give" differently. It doesn't make one type of giving any less important than another.

Finally, I believe our organization has been had! I think it was Andy who said: It's like having the keys to the gym and were told to lock up when finished. It is sad!!!! I supported the current board and worked for their election. I believed "they" would act in the best interests of our hobby. I feel I was let down. You see Wayne, I know what slabbing will do to our hobby. So do others. It will turn our hobby into another "coin collecting". I thought if I fight hard now with others who feel the same way - maybe it could be stopped. I guess I'm wrong. However, my friend one thing you can be sure of, I won't go down without the fight of my life. Thanks for reading.

Also a very special thankls to you and Belinda for putting on GREAT coventions!!!!!! Thank you, Best, Jim